Photographer's Note

The unique value of Tallinn’s Old Town lies first and foremost in the well-preserved completeness of its medieval milieu and structure, which has been lost in most of the capitals of northern Europe. Since 1997, the Old Town of Tallinn has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

Its powerful defensive structures have protected Tallinn from being destroyed in wars, and its lack of wooden buildings has protected it from burning down. But it is also crucial that Tallinn hasn’t been massively rebuilt in the interest of dispensing with the old and modernising the town.

Tallinn is one of the best retained medieval European towns, with its web of winding cobblestone streets and properties, from the 11th to 15th centuries, preserved nearly in its entirety. All the most important state and church buildings from the Middle Ages have been preserved in their basic original form, as well as many citizens’ and merchants’ residences, along with barns and warehouses from the medieval period.

The golden era in Tallinn’s history lies in the period between the early 15th and mid 16th centuries. Tallinn had attained fame and a powerful role in the Baltic Sea area through its membership in the Hanseatic League. Economic might carried with it both the need to defend the city and the opportunity for a rich period of architectural and artistic creativity.

Estonia

Estonia, the most northerly of the Baltic states, regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. It is a mainly flat country on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea, with many lakes and islands. Much of the land is farmed or forested.

The Estonian language is closely related to Finnish, but bears no resemblance to the languages of the other Baltic republics, Latvia and Lithuania, or to Russian. About one quarter of the population is of Russian-speaking origin.

The capital, Tallinn, is one of the best-preserved mediaeval cities in Europe, and tourism accounts for 15% of Estonian GDP. The main sectors of the economy are engineering, food products, metals, chemicals and wood products.
Throughout history, many other nations who ruled the region – Danes, Germans, Swedes, Poles and Russians – have influenced Estonian cuisine. Among the traditional dishes are marinated eel, blood sausage and sauerkraut stew with pork.
Famous Estonians include the writer Jaan Kross whose work has been translated into 20 languages, the author of the national epic (Kalevipoeg) Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald, and the writer, film-maker, diplomat and politician Lennart Meri.
(Source:travelbaltics & Tourism.Tallinn)

Hi George,
Gorgeous view over the Old Town of Tallinn. The red roofs and green trees alternate very nicely. I find the vertical format very good. The light conditions were fantastic too with the last rays of the golden sunlight on the church tower and I like the cloudy evening sky for a pleasant mood. Thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

Thank you George for this unique post! The city looks to be well preserved and fairy, indeed! This town is very photogenic! The high point of view is ideal for panoramic images.
Greetings from Greece,
Athanasios.

Hi George,
On this the old town offers a nice mixture of grey walls, red roofs and green trees. Well captured late afternoon colours from excellent high viewpoint. Makes me wonder what this would look in autumn colours.
Kari

Hallo George!
A very beautiful picture, especially because of this wonderful light on the Old Town here. This still sunlit steeple is a real eyecatcher and it gives a most impressive contrast to the already a bit darkish alleys and streets. A gorgeous vuew!
Greetings from springlike Germany - also for the note!
Frank

Hi George
Very beuatiful view of the Old Town of Tallinn. I like this high POV and how you framed it. The light is also wonderful but it's pity some noise
Anyway it's a great photojob
TFS and greetings
Aires

Szia George,
what a warm evening light is soft spread over the city. Great colours of the roofs in that light changing with the rich amount of green and finding the final on the church tower. Superb texture of the front tower and houses in front. Very good impression.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

Hi George!Very beautiful the view of Tallinn perhaps helped also the indirect lighting! Splendid and the place of arrest of photograph in order to appear the towers well that impress in the background!
Georgios

Hi George,
A lovely point of view over these roof tops. The red roofs scattered around the scene make for a nice unified image, and I like the little bit of light hitting the buildings and creating nice soft colours. Vertical format has worked well too.
Regards
Wanda

Hello George,
The beautiful light on the church tower really makes it stand out as an eye-catcher!
I like the composition with the medival architecture, low light but still wonderful colours...
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hi George,
Estonia photos are rare to find in TE, and whenever i see one, i like it a lot. This is a lovely vertical share with nice colors and quality. Composition is great as always.
Have a nice Sunday,
Deniz